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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2011; 119(8): 484-489
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1269846
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Skeletal Muscle Insulin Resistance in Morbid Obesity: The Role of Interleukin-6 and Leptin

P. Mitrou1 , V. Lambadiari2 , E. Maratou1 , E. Boutati2 , V. Komesidou3 , A. Papakonstantinou4 , S. A. Raptis1 , 2 , G. Dimitriadis2
  • 1Hellenic National Center for Research, Prevention and Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and its Complications, Athens, Greece (H.N.D.C)
  • 22nd Department of Internal Medicine, Research Institute and Diabetes Center, Athens University Medical School, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 3Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
  • 41st Department of Surgery, Evangelismos Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Publication History

received 29.06.2010 first decision 09.11.2010

accepted 16.11.2010

Publication Date:
02 August 2011 (online)

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Abstract

Background: Although insulin resistance in obesity is established, the link between excess body fat and skeletal muscle insulin resistance is obscure. The aim of this study was to investigate whether cytokines secreted from the subcutaneous adipose tissue are related to the sensitivity of glucose metabolism to insulin in skeletal muscle.

Methods: A meal was given to 14 obese and 10 non-obese women. Plasma samples were taken for 360 min from a forearm vein and from the radial artery for glucose and insulin measurements. Interleukin-6, leptin, TNFα, resistin and adiponectin were measured preprandially from the radial artery and from the superficial epigastric vein. Forearm blood flow was measured with plethysmography.

Results: (1) In obese vs non-obese: (a) Glucose uptake by skeletal muscle was decreased (AUC0–360369±55 vs. 877±146 μmol/100 g tissue, p=0.001) (b) arterial interleukin-6 (2.5±0.5 vs. 1±0.1 pg/ml, p=0.013) and subcutaneous venous interleukin-6 (5±0.5 vs. 3.4±0.5 pg/ml, p=0.027) were increased (c) arterial leptin (63±7 vs. 5±0.6 ng/ml, p<0.0001) and subcutaneous venous leptin 80±8 vs. 6.5±0.7 ng/ml, p<0.0001) were increased. (2) Arterial interleukin-6 (p=0.002) and subcutaneous venous interleukin-6 (p=0.014) were negatively associated with forearm glucose uptake in obese. (3) No association was found between leptin and forearm glucose uptake, after correcting with fat mass.

Conclusions: In morbid obesity: (1) Subcutaneous adipose tissue releases interleukin-6 which could then mediate insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. (2) Although there is increased secretion of leptin by the subcutaneous adipose tissue, leptin levels are not correlated to the sensitivity of glucose metabolism to insulin in muscle.

Key words

adipocytokines - leptin - obesity

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Correspondence

G. DimitriadisMD, DPhil 

2nd Department of Internal

Medicine

Research Institute and Diabetes

Center

Athens University, “Attikon”

University Hospital

1 Rimini Street

GR-12462 Haidari

Greece

Phone: +30/210/583 2547

Fax: +30/210/583 2561

Email: gdimi@ath.forthnet.gr

Email: gdimitr@med.uoa.gr